65% of Britons think it is important to learn the local lingo before going on holiday abroad, 19% deliberately choose destinations based on knowledge that they won’t need to speak a foreign language
Recent survey results highlight the plight of Britons abroad, with almost half (46%) being left embarrassed by their poor language skills on holiday. While the overwhelming majority (65%) think it is important to learn key words and phrases before jetting off, the anxiety of having to speak in a foreign tongue and the assumption that residents living in foreign tourist resorts will speak English as a second language anyway, is contributing to an unwillingness to learn.
The situation is costly, causing Britons to overspend by an average of £50 per holiday (£17.21 Billion as a nation annually) due to errors in communication. It also acts as a deterrent; with 19% of UK residents stating they actively avoid locations they feel won’t speak English adequately.
To save holiday goers money and in an effort to reduce the anxiety of those worried about making embarrassing mistakes abroad, the holiday company Thomson Lakes and Mountains has created an online quiz to arm users with the key phrases they need, in the languages of Italian, German, French and Slovene.
Vicky Hales, Customer Engagement Director Thomson Lakes & Mountains said: "Our interactive quiz aims to help users test their abilities and give language learning a go."
Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser at the British Council, added: "The reality is that speaking a foreign language doesn't just help you to get the most out of your holiday – it is a rewarding way to connect with another culture and, with employers now crying out for more language skills, it can boost your job prospects too. We could all stand to benefit from broadening our horizons that little bit further through language learning and trying out just a few words or phrases while on holiday is the perfect place to start."
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
